Book Review: Code of Silence by Tim Shoemaker

Code of Silence by Tim Shoemaker is a young adult Christian fiction thriller.



Back Cover:

TELLING THE TRUTH COULD

GET THEM KILLED.

REMAINING SILENT COULD

BE WORSE.

When Cooper, Hiro, and Gordy witness a robbery that leaves a man in a coma, they find themselves tangled in a web of mystery and deceit that threatens their lives. After being seen by the criminals—who may also be cops—Cooper makes everyone promise never to reveal what they have seen. Telling the truth could kill them. But remaining silent means an innocent man takes the fall, and a friend never receives justice. Is there ever a time to lie? And what happens when the truth is dangerous? The three friends, trapped in a code of silence, must face the consequences of choosing right or wrong when both options have a price.



This book starts off with a bang if I’ve ever read one. The suspense and fear built into those first chapters never leave. It is a total adrenaline rush that kept me reading well into the night.

The characters are diverse and drew me in right away. They drive the story forward with smart, realistic, and unexpected decisions in response to heart-wrenching dilemmas. I questioned my everyday decisions with the characters as they dug themselves deeper into their web of lies.

The characters are Christians and their actions reflect this - but it never interrupts the story. The characters’ religion blends nicely with the plot to create a good and lasting message that anyone can appreciate. I can honestly say I feel closer to God after reading this book.

The dialogue is witty and adds some well-needed comedy to a tense, action-packed story. The description places the reader in the setting and often times chills them to the bone. I wouldn’t usually pick up a book like this considering I enjoy sci fi and fantasy, so it made me see how branching out to different genres can be a delightful experience. Can I just say that I love books about middle-schoolers riding around on bikes, solving mysteries, and getting into trouble? *Cough* Super Eight. *Cough* Stranger Things. *Cough* Code of Silence.

Overall, Code of Silence is a quick, deep read with meaningful characters that will stick with you forever.

Rating: 4/5 stars
Recommendation: Middle School +

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